Airline fees adding up quickly
Sunday June 15, 2008
Ever go to a restaurant and discover that there is a separate charge for everything on the table? Such a-la-carte pricing is now sweeping the airline industry. Items such as a soft drink or a blanket that once were supplied free of charge will now cost you on some airlines. You'll find new baggage price policies at both the major airlines and the budget carriers. Find out how all of these new fees could impact your travel budget in 2008 and beyond.
Comments
It’s time that passengers started fighting back by just not flying on these carriers. Sure, the fuel costs are hurting them, but you can be sure that once the prices for fuel drop, the airlines are not going to go back to the old ways and drop the charges passed on to the passengers. We are now forced to buy food in the terminals, which for the most part is awful and expensive, in order to avoid paying even more for worse food on the carriers. Plus, now we have to pay for everything else. Enough is enough. Where are the regulations? Why isn’t someone looking out for the passengers and their needs?
As airlines charge for luggage, there will be more carry-on items which will further delay getting passengers on board. A policy like Delta’s, which permits one piece of luggage per person, is a much better policy than American Airlines which charges for all checked luggage.
I am disgusted by the direction airlines have been going. I flew for Pan American in 1970 when it was elegant. The beauty of flying has gone and the prices are making it very difficult for middle class America to fly. Our kids have graduated from college and live all over the U.S. We need affordable, accessible travel options. We want to fly more not less. There is no room for spur of the moment travel or changing plans without a big fee! Do the airlines want us to fly? What ever happened to the “class” that used to exist? I fly to be with family and see the world but the fun is gone and the prices horrible. There must be some other options out there. Let’s think about customer service and get creative and human again.
Are you people kidding me? You sound like a bunch of whining children. EVERYTHING has gone up in price. Nothing is free, you have to make a living and so does everyone else, including the airlines. Their employees have taken HUGE pay cuts so that prices stay artificially low.
You whine about having to feed yourself? Grow up! Flying in the 70’s wasn’t cheap and the airline was government regulated.
Where has the class gone, you ask? Look around you, we are a casual, classless society. Why would you think it would be any different on a plane?
It’s a plane, not a resort, grow up and take care of your needs like an adult.
Look, no one needs to get snippy because on has an opinion. We are all in this together, so to speak. Yup, prices have risen like the cost of living and people have “suffered” the consequences. But, we do have choices. Weigh the pros and cons and then make your decission. Taking a road trip with others, taking a train, or even a bus are some other options. Try not to limit your mind or yourselves in this trying and challenging situation.
I am with Crys get over it!!!! Airlines have not raised prices since the 70’s. It goes to show when you get on a flight and the person next to clips toenails in first class. Yes it happen to me.
I WON’T get over it, thank you, as I have the right to an opinion just as you do. I have had to stop flying to see my grandchildren, as my SS money does not cover the expenses anymore. GET OVER IT, you say. GET REAL, I say. There are some of us who loved to travel after working so hard for years, looking forward to the day we could visit other places. For those who still work, it may be just another thing to deal with in the budget; for retired people, this is our last chance to enjoy what we worked for.
Well guys, in Europe the situation isn’t better: Ryanair and Easyjet started the trend of charging for food and beverages, but travelling within Europe it’s quite “quick”: Milan-London it’s 2 hours travel, London-Berlin is 1h 30 mins travel: once you know, you go prepared, and buy
sandwiches and water before leaving the airport
(overpriced anyway, as a chain effect of the new security regulations).
The thing that is really affecting us is the price for just handling the baggage, to just check in…this was never charged before and it should be anyway part of the service. This is really unjust because you can’t avoid it.
The “cheap price” is not so cheap anymore after you added the airport fees and this new “check in” fees.
Are all of you mad or what. Yes everything is expensive and thing are a little tough. But all every one does is whine how they cannont do this and they cannont buy this. 80% percent of our world live below middle class income. most children in the world do not get food, get raped and have no clothes on their back. Man no wonder the rest of the world say that we americans are spoiled and now we are going through a little tough time and what we do whine and cry. Shame on you .
No matter how you slice it the problem is OIL, OIL, OIL, and until we as americans stop this flock of sheep atitude and do something as united americans we will pay, pay, pay. If you really want OIL prices to drop pick one day and all of us park your car, truck, or 18 wheeler in the middle of the road and walk away. Until we show the GOVERNMENT we arn’t going to take it anymore assume the bent over position, and take it in the keester.